The Volvo V70 is an executive premium estate made by Volvo across three different generations from 1996 to 2016. The V70 is one of the most successful Volvo models to date because it offers strong reliability and great value, especially on the second-hand market.
There are many Volvo V70 models to choose from which means that spare parts are also readily available for all models. The V70 seems to continuously offer above-average reliability results, especially the mid-2000 models which are often seen sporting a few hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometer.
The most common Volvo V70 issues are associated with the transmission, misfiring, front suspension bushing failures, turbocharger issues, and cooling system issues. The good thing is that many of these issues can be resolved relatively quickly and without too much work.
If you are interested in buying a used Volvo V70, be sure to go for the post-facelift models of each generation as they tend to be more reliable as a whole. All in all, the V70 is a reliable car, but only if you do all the necessary maintenance.
Volvo V70 – Transmission issues
The V70 is available with either an automatic gearbox or a manual gearbox. Both of these are known to experience issues, especially on older models. If you sense your V70 is unable to engage a gear smoothly, chances are that your transmission is acting up. This is somewhat problematic as you are never entirely sure what is wrong with the transmission.
You should first approach solving this issue by flushing the transmission fluid. If this does not solve the issue, you will have to dive deeper in order to find out what is indeed wrong with it. The worst-case scenario would be needing to replace the entire system which is indeed expensive and stressful.
Volvo V70 – Misfiring issues
Many Volvo V70 models are known to experience engine misfiring due to a few distinct reasons. The main one is associated with a prematurely worn-out cambelt. Be sure to inspect the camblet and replace it if needed. If you don’t do so fast enough you are risking damaging the engine a lot more which can end up in an incredibly expensive repair bill.
Another reason why Volvo V70 models tend to misfire is due to faulty ignition coils. If you sense your V70 is unable to idle at a constant RPM range, chances are that your ignition coils are causing the issue. You also need to replace these soon enough in order not to damage the engine any further.
Volvo V70 – Front suspension bushing issues
The front lower control arms are prone to fail on some Volvo V70 models. If you hear any creaking noises coming from the front wheel well area, especially while going over road undulations, your bushings are likely the reason why. This is most noticeable while driving over speed humps, so be sure to listen to any creaking noises if you take a V70 for a test drive
Thankfully, these are fairly easy to replace which means that you should be back on the road in no time. These issues are commonly associated with how heavy the Volvo V70 engines are which means that they can sometimes also wear out the engine mounts faster than usual.
Volvo V70 – Turbocharger issues
The V70 is also known to emit blue-ish smoke from the exhaust which is typically associated with a troubling turbocharger. If you also experience a lack of power, especially higher up the rev range, your turbocharger is likely the one causing it.
These issues are most common on earlier V70 models and they tend to cost quite a lot of money to repair. A brand-new turbocharger is a hefty investment which means that many people out there are more willing to invest in a used one. However, if you want your new turbocharger to last for longer, go for a brand new one.
Volvo V70 – Cooling system issues
Volvo V70 models also tend to experience overheating issues due to a leak in the coolant system. If you do notice that the engine temperatures are rising rapidly, you need to inspect the entire cooling system to see where the leak has occurred. Sometimes a leak occurs on the tank, on the hoses, or one of the seals.
This needs to be addressed immediately because if you don’t, your engine might potentially even burst into flames.
FAQ Section
How long can a Volvo V70 last?
The Volvo V70 seems to be a decently reliable car overall which means that it should be able to last for a long time. The internet is brimming with lots of proud V70 owners that are more than willing to advertise their V70 models that seem to be lasting upwards of 500k miles.
If you maintain the V70 well enough, there is no reason for the car not to last at least 200,000 miles. The platform on which the V70 is based is proven to be sturdy and able to stand the test of time which means that it is up to you how well you are going to maintain it.
What is the best Volvo V70 to buy?
The third-generation Volvo V70 seems to be the best model of them all because it balances efficiency, safety, and power the best. It is also the one with the highest quality interior design and materials which is indeed something you expect from a Volvo these days.
Overall, the best engines to go for are the T5 engines which are indeed some of the best engines Volvo has ever offered. They are reliable, powerful, and efficient.
Should I buy a Volvo V70?
If you are in the market for a used family premium estate car, you should definitely focus on the Volvo V70. It now offers fairly decent value while also being relatively cheap to maintain, considering what it is. The V70 has long been one of the most popular Volvo models of all time and that is why it was in production for so long.
The V90 is the car that replaced the V70 which means that the V70 is still being made to this day. All in all, the V70 is indeed a really good car and you should consider it.